Lawrence Summers bio box

Lawrence Summers was picked as the Obama White House’s director of the National Economic Council. Here’s a quick look at his life and career.

Lawrence Summers was picked as the Obama White House’s director of the National Economic Council. Here’s a quick look at his life and career.

Career: An economist and the Charles W. Eliot University Professor at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. Has been working as part of Obama's Transition Economic Advisory Board.

History: Has been treasury secretary, from 1999 to 2001, when he succeeded his boss, Robert E. Rubin. He then served until the end of the Clinton administration. Served as president of Harvard University from 2001 to 2006. Has taught at Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and served as vice president of development economics and chief economist of the World Bank.